2026 final Moto GP celebrations

There will be two super screens erected on Thompson Avenue as part of the final MotoGP celebrations, while the community motorcycle ride will once again travel along the South Gippsland Highway to Phillip Island, a meeting of local traders was told last week.

The meeting of traders, with Bass Coast Shire (BCS) , heard that past MotoGP races would be shown on a super screen on The Esplanade; and a second screen will be erected halfway up Thompson Avenue.

The community ride will again travel from Caldermeade Farm on South Gippsland Highway to Phillip Island.

A shire spokesperson confirmed that Thompson Avenue will remain as the entertainment hub for the celebrations being planned to mark the final MotorGP race weekend to be held on Phillip Island on October 23-25 before it relocates to Adelaide in 2027.

Live music and entertainment will feature throughout the weekend.

Bands already confirmed to perform on the big stage on The Esplanade on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, will focus on local performers, similar to previous years.

Rider events around the MotoGP, including the 2026 Homecoming Ride on Thursday and the Phillip Island Community Ride on Saturday, were confirmed.

Issues such as security and liquor licenses in Thompson Avenue were discussed at the meeting, with input from a police spokesperson.

Traders at the meeting put forward a range of ideas for the weekend, including putting up posters advertising the celebrations, signage on the highway in the lead up to the final MotorGP and a spectacular fireworks show to say goodbye to an event that has bought huge economic and social benefits since its inception in 1989 with the staging of the Motorcycle Grand Prix World Championship in Australia for the first time.

The race was moved to Sydney in 1991, but made a joyous return for the local community in 1997, where it has been a major international annual event attracting hundreds of thousands motorcycle enthusiasts for the last 30 years.

A final planning meeting will be held by BCS at Berninneit in Cowes on Tuesday August 11 at 3pm.